We would like to thank the Isle of Man Arts Council for their continued support of the Islands Brass Bands running the Summer Brass Band Series concerts in the Villa Marina Arcade.

We have played several times this year with great audiences each time. These concerts are vital to the band and it is a great chance for us to get out of the band room and perform. Thank you to all the audience members who have come from far and wide to see us you support, is appreciated.

This is the first time Garff Commissioners have put this event on and what a great afternoon of music it was. Well done to everyone involved in the organisation and all the supporters on the day.

Three Bands took part Ramsey Town Band, Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band and ourselves – Douglas Town Band.

There were three venues: The Mines Tavern, The Bridge and The Queens. The Bands all started at different venues at 2pm and played a short 20minute programme before moving onto the next venue.

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We started at Mines Tavern then went onto the Queens and finished at the Bridge. Following this there was then a massed bands in the village square.

We really enjoyed this and there was a great and appreciative crowd at all the venues.

The massed bands finished off the afternoon in style with 75+ musicians playing 3 marches conducted by the MDs for each band, then Ellan Vannin conducted by Ian Cottier, then afternoon of music rounded up with the Manx National Anthem.

Below is the Massed Bands Playing the DTB March thanks to David Kneale for sharing this with us.

Below is the Massed Bands Playing Ellan Vannin thanks to Jennifer Wade for sharing this with us.

Then the awards were presented – Best presented went to Ramsey Town Band and both Castletown Metropolitan Band and Douglas Town Band were presented with certificates of Excellence. Ramsey Town Band took the overall prize for the afternoon.

It was a fab afternoon and we hope that Garff Commissioners turn this into an annual event.

On Sunday 15th April, the band presented Shaken, Not Stirred! featuring spectacular local artists alongside the band. The Bond themed night went off with a bang, and was truly spectacular as you would expect from your 007!

The band performed with and alongside the great local talent of Alexandra Slater, Jack Divers and Roc Vannin Choir. The interval cocktails shaken not stirred were served.

All funds raised from the evening are being donated to the Douglas Town Youth Band and Hospice Isle of Man. The current total to be split between these two great organisations is over £1,000 watch this space for final totals and presentations.

It has been a special weekend celebrating the bands 130th Anniversary.

On Friday 24th November the band celebrated their 130th Anniversary in style, with a gala concert featuring the world famous Welsh male voice choir – Only Men Aloud.

The band opened the show by filling the Villa Marina Royal Hall with the sound of Goff Richards Fanfare for a New Age. It was then onto Principle Cornet player Robert Mitchell who gave a masterclass in playing, performing Children Of Sanchez by Chuck Mangione. Following this, the band then played Benedictus featuring Euphonium before finishing off with Fire in the Blood by Paul Lovett-Cooper.

It was then over to Only Men Aloud who took to the stage and wow they were amazing. They performed several traditional welsh songs which were fantastic, as well as performing a compilation of James Bond tunes.

Picture from OMAniacs. A special mention to Joan and Lynn who are part of the OMAniacs fan club for joining us for the weekend, it was great to meet you ladies and thanks for the pictures!

After an exciting set from Only Men Aloud, the band the continued the 2nd half with a March written for their 120th Anniversary by their musical advisor Gordon Higgingbottom.

The band concluded their set by performing the showstopper ‘All that Jazz’ with some great choreography.

Only Men Aloud continued the night with several more well known pieces, including an arrangement of Amazing Grace and a Tom Jones medley which had the whole hall swaying to Dhelila.

The concert concluded with the band and Only Men Aloud joining forces in spectacular style performing Hymn to the fallen and a Disney Fantasy. To bring the night and they closed with an acappella version of Ellan Vannin with both groups singing together.

Douglas Town band would like to say a massive thank you to Only Men Aloud for this opportunity, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all and we couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate our 130th Anniversary.

On Saturday morning the band invited all local choirs and budding vocalists along to a workshop with Paul, Craig and Steffan from Only Men Aloud.

This was a great workshop with them covering activities on technique, posture and breathing. They worked on a performance of White Christmas which was enough to warm anyone on a cold winters night. Why not have a listen to the final version of this the video is below.

Finally, we would like to finish off by thanking all our sponsors as without them, the event wouldn’t have happened. This weekend was supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.

To round off our 130th celebratory year our Christmas concert will feature, our Youth Band, Ballacottier School Choir and Douglas Town Band. In what promises to be an evening to get you in the festive spirit and will entertain all the family.

The event is taking place at St. Ninian’s Church, on Saturday 16th December – 7.30pm start, doors open 7pm. Get your tickets now!